1 kings 12:20 - When all Israel heard that Jeroboam had returned, they sent and called him to the congregation, and made him king over all Israel. There was no one who followed David’s house, except for the tribe of Judah only.
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What does "1 kings 12:20" mean?
1 Kings 12:20 describes a pivotal moment in Israelite history: the division of the kingdom. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
"When all Israel heard that Jeroboam had returned...": Jeroboam was a former official under King Solomon who had fled to Egypt after rebelling against Solomon's oppressive policies. He was now back.
"...they sent and called him to the congregation, and made him king over all Israel.": The people of the northern tribes of Israel, dissatisfied with King Rehoboam (Solomon's son and successor), summoned Jeroboam to a gathering. There, they formally appointed him as their king. This signifies a complete rejection of the Davidic dynasty's rule over the northern tribes.
"There was no one who followed David’s house, except for the tribe of Judah only.": This is the key consequence. The kingdom split. The northern ten tribes (referred to collectively as "Israel") chose Jeroboam and rejected Rehoboam and the lineage of David. Only the tribe of Judah (and, implicitly, the related tribe of Benjamin which was closely linked to Judah) remained loyal to David's line and Rehoboam. This formed the southern kingdom of Judah.
In essence, the verse explains:
The northern tribes of Israel chose Jeroboam as their king due to their discontent with Rehoboam.
This act led to the secession of the northern tribes and the formation of the separate kingdom of Israel.
The kingdom of Judah, consisting primarily of the tribe of Judah, remained loyal to the Davidic dynasty and Rehoboam.
Historical Context and Significance:
This event is incredibly important in understanding the rest of the Old Testament.
Division of the Kingdom: It marks the end of the united kingdom of Israel and the beginning of two separate kingdoms: Israel in the north and Judah in the south.
Religious Implications: Jeroboam, fearing that his people would return to Jerusalem (in Judah) to worship at the temple, established his own religious centers with golden calves. This is viewed negatively in the Bible and is often cited as a major sin of Jeroboam and the northern kingdom.
Political Instability: The split led to centuries of conflict and rivalry between Israel and Judah, ultimately contributing to their respective falls to Assyria and Babylon.
Prophetic Themes: Many prophets in the Old Testament addressed the divided kingdoms, often condemning the idolatry and injustice of Israel and calling both kingdoms to repentance.
The verse in 1 Kings 12:20 is not just a historical record, it sets the stage for much of the narrative and theological development in the rest of the Old Testament.
1 kings 12:20 - When all Israel heard that Jeroboam had returned, they sent and called him to the congregation, and made him king over all Israel. There was no one who followed David’s house, except for the tribe of Judah only.
What does "1 kings 12:20" mean?
1 Kings 12:20 describes a pivotal moment in Israelite history: the division of the kingdom. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
"When all Israel heard that Jeroboam had returned...": Jeroboam was a former official under King Solomon who had fled to Egypt after rebelling against Solomon's oppressive policies. He was now back.
"...they sent and called him to the congregation, and made him king over all Israel.": The people of the northern tribes of Israel, dissatisfied with King Rehoboam (Solomon's son and successor), summoned Jeroboam to a gathering. There, they formally appointed him as their king. This signifies a complete rejection of the Davidic dynasty's rule over the northern tribes.
"There was no one who followed David’s house, except for the tribe of Judah only.": This is the key consequence. The kingdom split. The northern ten tribes (referred to collectively as "Israel") chose Jeroboam and rejected Rehoboam and the lineage of David. Only the tribe of Judah (and, implicitly, the related tribe of Benjamin which was closely linked to Judah) remained loyal to David's line and Rehoboam. This formed the southern kingdom of Judah.
In essence, the verse explains:
The northern tribes of Israel chose Jeroboam as their king due to their discontent with Rehoboam.
This act led to the secession of the northern tribes and the formation of the separate kingdom of Israel.
The kingdom of Judah, consisting primarily of the tribe of Judah, remained loyal to the Davidic dynasty and Rehoboam.
Historical Context and Significance:
This event is incredibly important in understanding the rest of the Old Testament.
Division of the Kingdom: It marks the end of the united kingdom of Israel and the beginning of two separate kingdoms: Israel in the north and Judah in the south.
Religious Implications: Jeroboam, fearing that his people would return to Jerusalem (in Judah) to worship at the temple, established his own religious centers with golden calves. This is viewed negatively in the Bible and is often cited as a major sin of Jeroboam and the northern kingdom.
Political Instability: The split led to centuries of conflict and rivalry between Israel and Judah, ultimately contributing to their respective falls to Assyria and Babylon.
Prophetic Themes: Many prophets in the Old Testament addressed the divided kingdoms, often condemning the idolatry and injustice of Israel and calling both kingdoms to repentance.
The verse in 1 Kings 12:20 is not just a historical record, it sets the stage for much of the narrative and theological development in the rest of the Old Testament.